Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen), Mexico
Rating8.2
Rating8.4Adults Only
Rating8.0Adults OnlyGood
Based on 11.8k reviews
Recent Renovation
Guests consistently laud the comprehensive renovation, which has transformed the resort into a beautiful, clean, and elegantly modern destination while retaining its charming hacienda style.
Exceptional Staff
The resort's staff receive outstanding praise for their consistent kindness, efficiency, and attentive service, significantly enhancing the overall guest experience.
Diverse Dining
The wide variety and high quality of food and beverages across both expansive buffets and specialized à la carte restaurants are frequently highlighted as a major strength.
Extensive Pools & Activities
Guests appreciate the abundance of swimming pools, including specialized areas, along with a comprehensive range of activities and nightly entertainment for all ages.
Beachfront Location
The resort's pristine white sand beachfront location provides a picturesque setting and convenient access to the Caribbean Sea, ideal for relaxation and water activities.
Slippery Pool Areas
A recurring concern is the slippery nature of floors around pool areas, which has unfortunately led to injuries for some guests, urging caution.
Resort Size & Walking
The expansive size of the resort means significant walking distances between amenities, though a trolley service is available to help guests navigate the property.
Sargassum on Beach
Guests should be aware that seaweed (sargassum) can occasionally affect the beach, depending on natural weather and ocean currents, though cleanup efforts are made.
Extra Costs & Restrictions
Certain à la carte restaurants, premium Wi-Fi services, and some specific room types may incur additional costs or have age restrictions for standard guests.
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Superior First Class
Travel Weekly
5.0-star property
Hotels.com
The Grand Sunset Princess underwent a complete six-month renovation that closed the property and reopened it on November 1, 2025 — making it one of the most recently updated resorts in Riviera Maya at time of writing. The hacienda-style architecture was preserved while interiors were fully modernized, and new Platinum Suite Plunge Pool categories were added as a premium tier within the existing 872-room count.
The dining program here is the genuine differentiator. Eleven a la carte restaurants covering Brazilian rodizio (Amazónico), charcoal-grilled steakhouse (La Vaquería), Mexican (Hacienda), Italian (La Volta), three distinct Asian options (Wok, Miso/Teppanyaki, Hikari Nikkei), Swiss fondue (La Fondue), and gourmet international (La Fleur) make this one of the more varied restaurant lineups in the Riviera Maya all-inclusive category. Hikari Nikkei — Japanese-Peruvian fusion — is genuinely unusual for the segment. The trade-off is that some a la carte restaurants and premium WiFi carry extra charges for standard Junior Suite guests; confirm what's included at check-in.
The resort suits families who want structured programming alongside genuine dining variety. The 24-hour all-inclusive format covers unlimited food and drink throughout the day and night. Eight adult pools, four children's pools, and a water park give families enough aquatic options to avoid congestion. The Platinum tier has its own private pool with dedicated waiter service. The resort's proximity to Playa del Carmen — 35-40 minutes from Cancun International Airport — means the town's restaurants and shopping are accessible without a major excursion.
The specific limitation worth noting: at 872 rooms, this is a large resort and significant walking is involved getting between facilities. Pool areas have been flagged for slippery surfaces around the water — a minor but recurring guest complaint worth knowing about. Premium WiFi is an upcharge over the basic included connection.